Articles

Articles

Taking the Mountain in a Wheelchair:

Published on Sep 29, 2018

Over the course of a year, Daniel, a graduate of the seventh graduating class, documented the activities of the preparatory program from the air. This is a small taste of the scenery and sights of the preparatory year where you can learn to love the earth from your feet.

All set to go for the Mechina

Published on Sep 29, 2018

Just four months ago, members of the Bnei Zion Mechina lost ten of their friends in the flood disaster in Nahal Tzafit. Yesterday they arrived at Kibbutz Ramat Hashofet to prepare their new home at the Moran extension of the Tavor Mechina for the coming year. “The most important thing is to stay together.”

Preparing to fly

Published on Sep 25, 2017

A lesson in excellence: 28 high school graduates are studying at the Tavor Pre-Military Mechina in Upper Nazareth – eight of them have already been accepted into the IDF very exclusive pilots’ training course. The others are also aiming high – for the Shayetet, Israel’s Navy Seals and other elite and special units. Amichai Chikli, head of the Mechina: “We don’t care if our graduates drive a tank, walk or fly a plane – as long as they have love for Israel in their hearts.”

“Privileged to be part of the greatest drama series in human history”

By: Sivan Rahav Meir | Published on Jul 6, 2017

What a refreshing text. The Tavor pre-military leadership academy, is not a religious institution and Amichai Chikli, its head, does not cover his head. But pay note to his parting words to Tavor’s graduates and their parents just before they enlist:
“What should one say to a group like this as these ten months draw to an end? Perhaps this is an opportunity to reiterate the reason why we are gathered here. And this is the essence of that idea: We are privileged to be part of the greatest drama series in human history, the series about the Jewish people, the nation that brought the world the Sabbath, the Ten Commandments, […] the Book of Books (which even Harry Potter cannot outsell), the text that underlies all of Western civilization. It is a great privilege to be a part of this story, but it is also a duty. […]”

About the “religionization” of the state school system

By: Sivan Rahav Meir | Published on Jul 6, 2017

This was such a refreshing speech. At the height of the endless debate about the “religionization” of the state school system, the Tavor pre-army leadership academy held its graduation ceremony. Amichai Chikli, who directs this non-religious academy is a former company commander in the Egoz elite unit who does not cover his head with a kipa. His message to the graduates and their parents as they prepare to enlist in the IDF is worth listening to.
“We have gathered here in order to swim against the current, against the extreme wave of individualism which views the family and children as a burden, to swim against those who consider nationalism to be stifling and narrow-minded, against those for whom the national homeland is a crude and indecent term, and for whom the Torah is a derogatory word. When we talk about swimming against the tide we do not mean a battle against the forces of evil, but rather a resistance by increasing the forces of good.”

Getting to the roots

Published on Oct 4, 2018

While many of their contemporaries take time off to clear their heads at some exotic destination before enlisting in the IDF, the students of the secular Tavor preparatory school set out on a moving journey through Poland and the Ukraine. In the alleys, cemeteries, and forests they encountered, they went back in time: from a visit to Ben-Gurion’s birthplace to the surprising discovery of a lost mass grave.

Pres. Rivlin launched Masa 70: “Marching together even at times of division”

Published on Mar 5, 2018

The president of Israel and a thousand participants took part in the opening ceremonies of the march launched simultaneously from Tel Hai in the north and Eilat in the south. The marchers will meet up in Jerusalem on the day before Independence Day. “The purpose of Masa 70 is to march, talk, connect,” said President Rivlin. “It’s a birthday gift to the state – to all of Israeli society.”

The path to the Egoz beret goes through Masa 70

Published on Mar 6, 2018

Soldiers of the elite Egoz unit were awarded their coveted berets after joining the Masa 70 march in the north: “It’s a privilege to participate in this special march,” they said. The original beret ceremony was canceled at the last minute due to constraints, and the elite Egoz unit decided to hold it as part of Masa 70, which included the students of the Tavor pre-military Mechina, along with elementary, middle and high school students.

“We said it would be a journey for all – and that’s what we meant”

Published on Feb 2, 2018

In the context of the Masa 70 march in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, the Avnei Derech organization organized a special segment of the route for people on the autism spectrum and with other disabilities. The segment was made completely accessible so as to enable people with disabilities and their families to march from Ramat Hanadiv to Caesarea. “All the participants marched the entire segment and were able to equally enjoy the scenery and nature,” said the organizers.